Child Care

Andrew Dismore: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1082W, on child care, how many staff, and at what grades, took advantage of the child care voucher scheme; and what the total annual cost is of the scheme.

Nick Harvey: Currently 116 House of Commons staff claim child care vouchers. The scheme records do not include details of the pay bands of the staff concerned. The cost of the scheme for the last full year (2005-06) was £215,000.

House Staff

Andrew Dismore: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1983W, on senior staff, what consideration has been given to  (a) positive action and  (b) positive discrimination to improve the diversity of House staff, especially at senior levels.

Nick Harvey: The House administration is taking several actions which are working towards the goals of improving ethnic minority representation at senior levels and helping staff from all backgrounds to realise their full career potential. A corporate Senior Management Development Programme was introduced in 2005 to prepare managers for more senior positions. The first cohort of the programme has a number of ethnic minority staff participants. The Diversity Forum has as part of its action plan for 2006-07 that talented staff from under-represented groups should actively be encouraged to develop their careers. A proposal will go to the House's Human Resources Group in 2007. On external recruitment, the House's job advertising policy requires that ethnicity of readership should be a priority when placing an advertisement. For fast stream recruitment the House participates in the Cabinet Office's policy of targeting minorities, and specifically the House is involved in a fast stream summer development programme which includes an open day aimed at ethnic minority applicants. The next open day is on 18 July.

Staff Travel Allowances

Andrew Dismore: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1083W, on staff travel allowances, what the total cost was of the late night transport service in relation to late sittings for  (a) senior House staff and  (b) in total in each of the last three years.

Nick Harvey: The total cost of providing a late night transport service in each of the last three years has been:
	
		
			  £000 
			   Cost 
			 2003-04 215.7 
			 2004-05 279.6 
			 2005-06 287.8 
		
	
	Costs attributable to senior House staff are not separately identifiable, for the reasons set out in my earlier answer.

Sustainable Development

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the relevance to sustainable energy in Wales of the latest report of the Sustainable Development Commission, From Pioneer to Delivery.

Peter Hain: The Sustainable Development Commission report "From Pioneer to Delivery" makes a number of recommendations relating to the Welsh Assembly Government's policies on sustainable development.
	I discuss these matters regularly with the First Minister and share his commitment to the goal of sustainable development.
	To that end, the Government of Wales Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for a statutory duty for the Welsh Ministers to produce a sustainable development scheme and provides the Welsh Ministers with additional powers to discharge their duties in relation to sustainable development.

Access to Work Scheme

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many disabled staff in her Department received support through the Access to Work scheme  (a) in each of the last five years and  (b) in 2006-07.

Angela Smith: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was established on 5 May 2006. Staff now working in the Department were formerly employed in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Home Office.
	 (a) In 2005-06 support was provided through Access to Work for 11 disabled members of staff in ODPM. In 2004-05 such support was provided for seven staff, and in 2003-04 for four staff. Comparable figures do not exist for cases supported in ODPM before 2003-04, as during this period this service was provided for disabled staff in ODPM through a shared service based in the Department for Transport.
	Figures for staff now in DCLG who used to be employed in DTI and the Home Office would be included in responses from those Departments, where relevant.
	 (b) In the first three months of 2006-07, support has been provided through Access to Work for five disabled members of staff in the former ODPM who are now employed in DCLG. DCLG has not yet handled any relevant cases for staff who used to be employed in the Home Office or DTI.
	The Office of Disability Issues (ODI) will be monitoring the overall situation to ensure that there is no detriment to current and future employees who are disabled.

Correspondence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2006,  Official Report, column 416W, on correspondence, what estimate she has made of the cost of answering the question; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: It is not possible to separately identify the average cost of officials' time in replying to letters from hon. Members and members of the public. Such correspondence is often of a varied and complex nature. Therefore any exercise to determine the average cost in officials' time in responding to letters would incur disproportionate cost.
	It is not possible to separately identify stationery and postage costs for the Department when replying to correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public.

Council Tax

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the change in the level of council tax between 1997 and 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The average band D council tax has risen from £688 in 1997-98 to £1,268 in 2006-07. This is an increase of 84 per cent. in actual terms or 40 per cent. in real terms.

Empty Dwellings

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether empty ministerial residences owned by  (a) the public sector and  (b) a private trust may be subject to an Empty Dwelling Management Order.

Angela Smith: Empty Dwelling Management Orders cannot be made against dwellings owned by the Crown or public sector bodies such as local housing authorities, registered social landlords and police, fire and health authorities.
	A dwelling owned by a private trust or any property owner could only be subject to an Empty Dwelling Management Order if the local authority proposing the order sought and received authorisation from a Residential Property Tribunal. In deciding whether to grant such authorisation, the Tribunal must be satisfied that the dwelling had been wholly unoccupied for more than six months, did not come within any of the exceptions set out in the 'Housing (Empty Dwelling Management Orders) (Prescribed Exceptions and Requirements) (England) Order 2006', that there was no reasonable prospect that it would become occupied in the near future and that, if an interim order was made, the local authority would be able to get the dwelling occupied.
	The Tribunal must also be satisfied prior to granting such authorisation that the local authority had made reasonable efforts to ascertain what steps the owner had taken or intended to take to secure occupation of the dwelling, that the local authority had complied with all of the requirements of the Act and the secondary legislation and must take into account the interests of the community and the effect the order would have on the rights of the property owner.

IT

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eastleigh of 15 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1369W, on IT, what the purpose is of each IT project sourced externally since May 2002 by her Department and its predecessor.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Lady to the answers provided to the hon. Member for Tatton (Mr. Osborne) on 19 January 2005,  Official Report, columns 998-99W, and to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) on 19 January 2005,  Official Report, columns 1420-421W. One additional project has been completed since the last answer:
	
		
			  System  Purpose 
			 Data and statistics catalogue (it will be launched under the short name of StatSearch) The catalogue comprises an interface and repository for information (metadata) about data and statistics resources. Its primary benefit is as a discovery tool, allowing users to find and assess sources by searching or browsing.

New Houses

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what building regulations are in place to ensure that new houses built in  (a) Milton Keynes and  (b) England use environmental protection and conservation techniques.

Angela Smith: There are no building regulations applying specifically in Milton Keynes. The Building Regulations 2000, as amended, apply throughout England and Wales and include requirements for the conservation of fuel and power (which address energy efficiency and hence the emissions of carbon dioxide from buildings) and the avoidance of oil pollution from domestic fuel tanks. We announced in March that consultations will be conducted later this year on new regulations for water efficiency.

Overcrowded Accommodation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households are listed as overcrowded in  (a) Gloucestershire and  (b) Stroud; and how many children are in overcrowded accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: There are two measures of overcrowding—the statutory definition and the bedroom standard.
	Using the bedroom standard, the only recent estimate of the number of overcrowded households in Gloucestershire is 3,000. This is from an ad hoc report based on combined data from both the "Survey of English Housing" and the Department for Work and Pension's "Family Resources Survey" for the three years 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03.
	Reliable estimates for the number of children living in overcrowded accommodation in Gloucestershire are not available. Separate data for Stroud are also not available.
	Estimates based on the statutory standard are not available because the underlying data is not collected systematically. A one-off estimate was made in the autumn of 2001 that there were approximately 25,000 households across the whole of England that were in conditions of overcrowding that breached the statutory standard. This estimate was based on data from the "Survey of English Housing" for the period 1997-98 to 1999-2000 and from the 1996 "English House Condition Survey". Equivalent estimates for Gloucestershire are not available.
	Tomorrow we will be publishing a discussion document on 'Tackling Overcrowding in England' which sets out options for revising the outdated definition of overcrowding and developing long-term solutions.

Renewable Energy

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will ask the Government Office of the West Midlands to explain the reasons for the delay in publishing  (a) the report on wind energy development in the West Midlands from TNEI Services Ltd commissioned jointly with Advantage West Midlands in 2004 and  (b) the appendix to this report.

Angela Smith: The final report was completed in June 2004 and due to its specialist nature it was considered the demand would be insufficient to warrant publication of a glossy hard copy. Electronic copies were made available on request following the publication of "The Regional Energy Strategy" in November 2004, which was informed by the study and made specific reference to it. Delays in commissioning the GOWM website resulted in a delay until February this year, when the Environment and Rural pages on the site were redesigned, and a link was placed on the new site to improve public access to the report.
	The appendices attached to the final report covering details of wind farm financial models and background to the consultants were made available at the same time as the main report.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1100W, on Afghanistan, if he will place in the Library a copy of the medical planning guidelines.

Adam Ingram: The medical planning guidelines are being withheld on the grounds of operational security. To reveal details of the specific policies underpinning UK operations in Afghanistan or elsewhere would be detrimental to the safety of UK forces.

Afghanistan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken  (a) to assess the influence and  (b) to promote the constructive engagement of (i) Iran and (ii) Pakistan in Afghanistan.

Des Browne: We keep the situation in Afghanistan and the influence of neighbouring countries constantly under review. Pakistan, in particular, remains influential in Afghanistan, notably among the Pashtun communities of the south. Her Majesty's Government maintain frequent contact with the Government of Pakistan on strategic issues, including the need to counter the influence of the Taleban and the drug-trafficking warlords. In addition, British forces deployed to Afghanistan have military liaison with the Pakistani Army.
	The United Kingdom and Iran also have a common interest in supporting Afghan efforts to promote stability and economic development and to combat the drugs trade. Iran has said it supports the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan and the efforts of the Afghan Government and international community to build stability and security. We welcome this commitment and hope to see it demonstrated in practice. Her Majesty's Government have discussed these issues regularly with the Iranian authorities, through the British embassy in Tehran and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Defensive Aids Suites

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2006,  Official Report, column 704W, on defensive aids suites, what defensive aids suites were carried by UK Hercules aircraft in Afghanistan in 2002.

Adam Ingram: The following defensive aids, in a variety of combinations, were employed on Hercules aircraft in Afghanistan in 2002:
	Missile Approach Warning System
	Radar Warning Receiver
	Countermeasures Dispensing System
	Infra Red Counter Measure

Helicopters

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has carried out an evaluation of deploying  (a) the Huger 500 and  (b) other light utility helicopters as convoy or patrol escorts in Iraq; and what assessment he has made of the merits of the use of machines of this type in such a manner would enhance force protection for British troops in convoy or patrol in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have Lynx light utility helicopters which can be used for escort duties if commanders judge that appropriate. The threat to our troops deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is kept under constant review and our force posture, including the use of helicopters in force protection roles, is adjusted accordingly.

Injured British Servicemen (Treatment)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many armed forces personnel in  (a) the Army,  (b) the Royal Air Force and  (c) the Royal Navy were medically discharged from the armed services in Iraq due to (i) an accident, (ii) limb amputation and (iii) psychological problems in each year since March 2003; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many armed forces personnel in  (a) the Army,  (b) the Royal Air Force and  (c) the Royal Navy have been medically discharged from the armed services in Afghanistan due to (i) an accident, (ii) limb amputation and (iii) psychological problems in each year since October 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Details of armed forces personnel who have been discharged as a result of a condition that can be attributed specifically to service in Iraq or Afghanistan could be obtained only by a search of the individual medical records of all personnel discharged from the armed forces since October 2001, which could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	In recent years, some 1,500 to 1,700 people have been medically discharged annually from the armed forces for any reason. Even when it is not possible to return an individual to full operational fitness following an injury or illness, it will often be possible to retain them in service in a different role, and it is our policy to do this whenever practical.

Military Vehicles

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (Humvees) are  (a) owned and  (b) leased by the Department; and whether any such vehicles have been acquired under the Stormer Programme.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not own or lease any High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees) and there are currently no plans for their procurement.

Military Vehicles

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 29 June 2006,  Official Report, column 15WS, on the support vehicle programme, for what reasons MAN ERF UK Ltd was selected as the provider of support vehicles; what process was followed to select the provider; and which other companies bid for the contract.

Adam Ingram: MAN ERF UK Ltd was selected to supply the extra 2,077 support vehicles through an option in the existing support vehicle contract. This contract was let on a competitive basis and four companies submitted bids: MAN ERF UK Ltd, Mercedes-Benz UK Defence, the Oshkosh Truck Corporation and Stewart and Stevenson TVS UK. Following a detailed assessment it was concluded that MAN ERF UK Ltd offered the best value for money solution and they were selected as preferred bidder in October 2004. A detailed negotiation phase was then undertaken before MAN ERF UK Ltd was awarded the contract on 31 March 2005.

Nuclear Weapons

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) range and  (b) circular area probability are of the (i) Trident missile system, (ii) Polaris Chevaline missile system and (iii) Polaris missile system.

Des Browne: The range of the Trident D5 missile is some 6,000 nautical miles. Both Polaris Chevaline and Polaris missiles had a range of up to 2,500 nautical miles.
	I am withholding the information on circular error probable, which indicates the accuracy of the missile, as this could enable deductions to be made that could be prejudicial to national security and international relations.

Pre-CSR Review

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with  (a) the Treasury and  (b) the Cabinet Office regarding the pre-comprehensive spending review report; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: I have and will continue to have wide ranging and regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the chief secretary about preparations for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, as a matter of key importance to the Ministry of Defence's medium and long term planning.

Press Releases

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the releases issued to the media by his Department between 17 July 2003 and 20 July 2003; and at what  (a) time and  (b) date each was (i) drafted, (ii) cleared for release and (iii) released under embargo to the media.

Des Browne: holding answer 10 July 2006
	On 19 July 2003, my right hon. Friend, the then Secretary of State for Defence, (Mr. Hoon) released a statement to the media, which explained that the Government had invited the right hon. Lord Hutton urgently to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Kelly. According to our records, this statement was released to the media at 3.20 pm on 19 July 2003.
	On 21 July 2003, the right hon. Lord Hutton issued his own statement to the media through the Department for Constitutional Affairs, which confirmed his appointment and set out his Terms of Reference.
	The Ministry of Defence does not hold records of precisely when statements to the media are drafted or cleared for release to the media. It is normal practice that press notices are issued to the media shortly after clearance for release is given.
	Two other press releases were issued by the Ministry of Defence between 17 July 2003 and 20 July 2003. The way ahead for Multi Role Armoured Vehicles and Future Command and Liaison Vehicles was released to the media at 12.48 pm on 17 July 2003. The launch of the UK Missile Defence Centre was released to the media at 4.42 pm on 18 July 2003.

School Fees

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel on overseas service have experienced delays in the payment of school fees made in respect of members of their families in each of the last five years; and what steps are taken to minimise such delays.

Tom Watson: There have been 14 late Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) (formerly Boarding School Allowance) payments out of 115,000 applications over the last five years. Broken down by year, the CEA late payments are in the following table.
	
		
			   Royal navy  Army 
			 2001-02 0 0 
			 2002-03 0 0 
			 2003-04 4 0 
			 2004-05 2 2 
			 2005-06 6 0 
		
	
	It is not known which, if any, of these 14 late payments were in respect of personnel serving overseas. Details of how many of the affected service personnel were overseas is not held centrally and even if the source documents still existed, the breakdown could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All three services issue reminders each term of when the deadline is for submitting applications and unit administrative staff also have a responsibility to remind likely applicants personally of the cut-off dates.

Spectrum Utilisation

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what receipts his Department received for spectrum released for civil use in financial years 1997-98 to 2005-06; and what proportion was appropriated in aid.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence received no direct receipts for spectrum released for civil use in financial years 1997-98 to 2005-06. Where the Department has released spectrum for civil use, Ofcom do not levy a fee to the Department for this released spectrum.

Trident

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 35W, on Trident, whether he makes a distinction between designing and developing in the context of work on a new warhead for use in Trident missiles.

Des Browne: We do not draw a distinction between "designing" or "developing" in the context of nuclear warheads. As we said in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review ("supporting essay 5 paragraph 14"), we maintain a minimum capability at the Atomic Weapons Establishment to design and produce a replacement for the current Trident warhead, should that prove necessary.
	There is no programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment to either develop or design a new nuclear warhead as we currently have no requirement for a new warhead.

Uniforms

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the procedure is for replacement of ill-fitting uniforms for members of the Armed Forces.

Adam Ingram: Uniforms are generally issued through the unit Quartermaster stores. Any ill-fitting pieces of uniform can be exchanged there and then for a better fit. In cases where the individual falls outside of the standard size range, they receive made to measure uniforms. Exceptionally, where an item of uniform is found to have been badly made, the Defence Clothing Integrated Project Team (DCIPT) examine the specification, identify the problem and ensure that corrective action is taken.

Accenture

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department paid to the company Accenture in each year since 2002; and what sums his Department owes to the company.

Ian Pearson: From information held centrally the Department has paid Accenture the following sums since 2002:
	
		
			  Financial year  Amount (£ million) 
			 2002-03 3.1 
			 2003-04 14.625 
			 2004-05 10.725 
			 2005-06 22.299 
		
	
	As at 16 June 2006, the sum of £2,301,976 had not been paid to Accenture and this figure represented invoices received since 5 June 2006 which were in the process of being released for payment within the Department's agreed payment terms window.

Advertising Campaigns

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advertising campaigns his Department has run since July 2004; and what the  (a) date and  (b) cost was of each.

Ian Pearson: For the Department's overall advertising expenditure for 2004-05 and 2005-06, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1818W.
	The principal advertising campaigns run by DEFRA since July 2004 are in the following table.
	
		
			  Campaign  Objective  Timing  Media spend (£) 
			 Personal food imports To raise awareness of food restrictions of food imports from outside the EU into the UK's animal disease prevention plans December 2004-March 2005 92,343 
			   December 2005-March 2006 94,278 
			 
			 Avian flu/poultry register To raise awareness of the biosecurity measures poultry keepers should follow in light of the international avian flu outbreaks. To encourage poultry keepers with more than 50 birds to sign up to the Poultry Register as part of the GB's avian flu contingency plans. October 2005-March 2006 185,976 
		
	
	The department also undertakes a wide range of recruitment, statutory notice and one-off advertising activities which accounts for the balance in spending. Information on advertising campaigns by non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, independent statutory bodies and other DEFRA-funded bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Air Conditioning

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information his Department collects on the number of homes in the United Kingdom which have domestic air conditioning installed.

Ian Pearson: No detailed information is available about the number of air conditioning units in domestic homes or their associated energy consumption.
	However, the Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) has collected estimates of the amount of energy consumed by air conditioning units in the UK that are subject to the 'Energy Information (Household Air Conditioners) Regulations 2005' (that is, units which consume less than 12 kilowatts). The 2005 Regulatory Impact Assessment for those regulations indicate that these appliances, which are used in both domestic and commercial premises, consume about 5.6 terawatt hours of electricity per year. This is equivalent to approximately 672,000 tonnes of carbon. The report is available on the DEFRA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/energylabelling-regsaircon/index.htm
	No information is collected for indirect greenhouse gas emissions from these appliances.

Badgers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many badgers there are, broken down by region.

Ben Bradshaw: Surveys of badger populations in Great Britain were undertaken in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. In the mid-1980s the badger population was estimated to be 250,000 badgers and in the mid-1990's a survey estimated the population had increased by 77 per cent.
	DEFRA is not aware of any other national surveys which have attempted to estimate badger numbers in England and Wales. We do not have regional breakdowns of these figures.

Bovine TB

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle slaughtered under the TB eradication scheme in each of the last three years were subsequently found on post mortem not to be infected and their carcasses sold into the food chain; and what the financial proceeds were of those sales in each year.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 4 July 2006
	The number of cattle slaughtered under bovine tuberculosis control measures, and their confirmation status, is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Total number of cattle slaughtered under TB control measures in GB( 1)  Number of confirmed reactors  Number of unconfirmed cases 
			 2005 30,063 8,657 21,406 
			 2004 23,064 6,422 16,642 
			 2003 23,821 6,308 17,513 
			 (1) Reactors, inconclusive reactors and direct contacts. 
		
	
	Failure to confirm the disease by post-mortem examination at the slaughterhouse, or by culturing  Mycobacterium bovis in the laboratory, does not mean that the disease was not present in the animal, or that the animal had not been in contact with bovine TB. In the early stages of the disease, it is not always possible to see lesions with the naked eye, and, due to the fastidious nature of the organism, it is not possible to culture from samples in every case.
	Carcases and their associated offal are inspected by the Meat Hygiene Service at slaughter and those with signs of generalised infection are fully condemned and declared unfit for human consumption. Where localised TB lesions are found in more than one organ or area of a carcass the whole carcass is condemned. Those carcasses with lesions in a single organ or part of the carcass and associated lymph nodes are only passed fit for human consumption once the affected part of the carcass has been cut out and condemned. If no TB lesions are found, the carcass is passed fit for human consumption. If any  M. bovis organisms remain these will be killed by thoroughly cooking the meat.
	Figures for financial proceeds are not available for unconfirmed cattle. However, figures for the financial proceeds from all cattle slaughtered under bovine tuberculosis control measures are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial proceeds from all cattle slaughtered under bovine tuberculosis control measures 
			   £ million 
			 2005 4.4 
			 2004 2.7 
			 2003 3.6

Chemicals Regulations

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations will operate effectively alongside the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations; and if he will undertake an assessment of the risks of REACH undermining COSHH.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 10 July 2006
	DEFRA is involved in ongoing discussions on the implementation of the new Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations with the agencies involved in the regulation of chemicals, and with the devolved administrations. The Health and Safety Executive, who act as the competent authority for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), have been fully involved throughout this process.

Common Agricultural Policy

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his most recent estimate is of the cost per person per week of the common agricultural policy in the United Kingdom.

Ian Pearson: The common agricultural policy (CAP) generates costs to both consumers and taxpayers. Consumers' costs arise because of the higher prices that prevail under the CAP. Taxpayers fund both direct subsidies to producers and the cost of operating the market management instruments of the CAP. However, the UK does not contribute to individual EU budget categories, rather it contributes to the entire EU budget. Therefore, in order to provide an indication of the cost to UK taxpayers we have calculated a notional UK contribution to expenditure on the CAP.
	Our provisional estimate of the consumer and taxpayer cost of the CAP person per week in the UK, in 2004, is approximately £2.50.

Flags

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  on how many days since May 1997 the St. George's flag has been flown from his Department's buildings;
	(2)  what his Department's policy is on flying the  (a) St. George's flag and  (b) EU flag from departmental buildings.

Ian Pearson: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport issue the guidance for flying flags on Government buildings. This includes flying the St. George's flag on St. George's day 23 April and the European flag on Europe day 9 May on buildings with two or more flag poles provided they are flown alongside the Union flag with the Union flag in the superior position.
	The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs only has one flag pole therefore does not fly the St. George's flag or the European flag. On that basis, the St. George's flag has not knowingly been flown from any buildings on the DEFRA estate.

Flags

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will ensure the Union flag is flown from his Department's buildings on every day the offices are open.

Ian Pearson: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs follows the rules and guidance on flag flying issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. These rules are approved by the Queen on advice from the Department. There are no plans at present to change the number of days flags can be flown from Government buildings.

Outsourcing

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what administrative functions for which his Department is responsible are outsourced overseas; and what assessment he has made of the merits of outsourcing further such functions overseas.

Ian Pearson: From information held centrally no administrative functions for which the Department is responsible have been outsourced overseas. Sourcing decisions are made on the basis of value for money and any decisions to outsource functions overseas would be taken in the light of that policy and recognise the Department's emergency preparedness and business continuity requirements.

Post Office Contracts

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for which services  (a) his Department and  (b) its associated public bodies hold contracts with the Post Office; and what the (i) start and (ii) termination date is of each contract.

Ian Pearson: From information held centrally, the Department has no contracts with the Post Office.

Private Sewers

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he last reviewed the legislation on private sewers; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government are very aware of the problem of private sewers, whereby householders often do not know they have a private sewer until a problem occurs such as a blockage or collapse, which can lead to disputes and consumer resistance to paying for repairs. Local authorities have also traditionally lacked any kind of records of where such sewers are, and the condition that they are in.
	Legislation concerning private sewers has been kept under review by the Government since 2001 when a protocol was proposed for the construction of new sewers, enabling them to be built to a standard suitable for adoption by water and sewerage companies. The Government published a "Review of Existing Private Sewers and Drains in England and Wales" in July 2003, which sought views on a number of possible solutions to the problem of maintenance of such sewers including their adoption by water and sewerage companies. This report is available on the DEFRA website:
	http://defraweb/corporate/consult/sewers/conpap.pdf
	In January 2005, DEFRA held a stakeholder seminar—"Review of Existing Private Sewers in England and Wales: What Next?"—which explored and drew conclusions on sustainable options for the scope and form of any potential transfer of private sewers to water and sewerage companies. There was general consensus at the seminar that transfer provided the most comprehensive solution.
	DEFRA has worked hard with stakeholders, including Ofwat, Water UK and the Consumer Council for Water, to examine the scope and form of any potential transfer to water and sewerage companies. This has included its costs and funding, the impact on the drain repair and insurance industries, and public expectation. We intend to publish a decision on existing private sewers in England and Wales in the autumn.

Rural Payments Agency

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to resolve the applications from those applicants for the Entry Level Scheme where applications have been delayed because of disputes over Rural Payments Agency mapping and where payments have consequently been lost for one year; and if he will pay compensation to those affected.

Ian Pearson: The Rural Development Service (RDS) have implemented a variety of measures to facilitate the earliest possible entry into the Environmental Stewardship (ES) Scheme.
	Under the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) strand of ES in particular, the following steps have been taken:
	Monthly, rather than quarterly start dates were implemented in the summer of 2005;
	Shortly after the launch of the scheme, a prioritisation list of ELS applicants with outstanding Rural Land Register (RLR) mapping issues was established, this enabled Rural Payment Agency staff to prioritise cases more effectively;
	In circumstances where applicants were not able to fully register all of their land on the RLR, applicants could consider either:
	applying for an agreement on the land initially registered and then applying for a separate subsequent ELS agreement on the newly registered land or;
	applying for an agreement on the land initially registered and then once land registration for all land was completed, applying for a new, re-started agreement across the whole of the holding.
	It should also be noted that applicants are able to take up a full five year ELS agreement, therefore, though payments may be initially delayed for some, the opportunity to participate in an ELS agreement and receive payment for this will not be lost.
	Given the steps outlined, and the voluntary of the ES scheme rather than it being a regulatory entitlement, I do not believe that there is a sufficiently robust case for compensation, where a later than anticipated entry into the scheme has been experienced.

Single Farm Payment

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 June 2006,  Official Report, column 902W to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch), on the single farm payment, on what date he will publish details of payments made in England up to 30 June 2006.

Ian Pearson: In his statement to the House on 5 July 2006 the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the details of payments made in England up to 30 June 2006.

Tallow

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps his Department takes to enforce the Waste Incineration Directive in relation to the burning of tallow; what assessment he has made of enforcement levels; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many breaches of the Waste Incineration Directive there were in relation to the burning of tallow in each of the last 12 months, broken down by local authority.

Ian Pearson: The Waste Incineration Directive (WID) applies to all technical units incinerating waste or co-incinerating waste along with non-waste material. As the law currently stands, the burning of waste tallow as fuel is subject to the requirements of the WID and is regulated by local authorities and the Environment Agency depending on the type of rendering unit.
	Having received representations—including one from the UK Government—that the application of the stringent requirements of the WID are disproportionate in relation to the burning of tallow, the European Commission has set up a study to help establish whether such controls are appropriate and necessary to the protection of the environment. The study is expected to report by the autumn, and the Government are pressing the Commission for the study to be completed as soon as possible.
	Against this background, operators have argued that the continued burning of tallow in rendering plants would be more beneficial for the environment than switching to alternative fossil fuels, which do not require WID-compliant plants. In addition, switching fuels would have damaging cost impacts on the livestock chain.
	Recognising these points, the ongoing Commission study, but also the current state of the law, Ministers have encouraged the industry to enter technical discussions with the regulators to determine how best individual plants might plan move over time to comply with the WID.
	A plant's failure to comply with WID requirements .included in Pollution Prevention Control permits is a matter for the regulator. My Department does not maintain a database of Waste Incineration Directive breaches. Following detection of non-compliance, decisions thereafter about enforcement action and/or prosecution are taken in line with the regulator's existing enforcement and prosecution policies. The latter includes consideration of "public interest" in upholding environmental law.

Tallow

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the incentive scheme for the production of biodiesel in the context of competing uses for tallow; and what discussions he has had with the Department  (a) of Trade and Industry and  (b) for Transport on the impact;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the incentive scheme in place for the use of tallow in the production of biofuels on levels of  (a) recycling and  (b) renewable energy production.

Ian Pearson: The Government are supporting the production of biodiesel through a 20p per litre duty rate cut. This has brought forward biodiesel from a variety of feedstock, including tallow. The forthcoming Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation will require 5 per cent. of road fuel to come from renewable sources by 2010. Tallow-derived biodiesel will qualify under the obligation. Burning tallow for the generation of electricity may also qualify for Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs), although the Government are not aware of any significant burning of tallow which is eligible for ROCs.
	We are aware that the oleochemical industry is concerned that the use of tallow for the production of biodiesel and electricity generation will reduce available supplies of tallow for their industry. No formal assessment of this has been made by the Government. However, Defra is in close contact with the Department for Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry who are engaged in on-going discussions with the oleochemical industry.

Waste Incineration Directive

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance is issued to regulators of the rendering industry in England and Wales on determining whether a rendering plant is working towards compliance with the European Union Waste Incineration Directive.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 16 June 2006
	The Environment Agency has met the UK Renderers Association on two recent occasions to agree steps to be taken by the sector in moving towards compliance with the waste incineration directive (WID). Those steps include emissions monitoring at two rendering plants. All plants will also investigate the cost and lead times for the supply and installation of suitable continuous emissions monitoring equipment, including the engineering feasibility. Relevant local authorities in England and Wales have been made aware of the outcome of the meeting. A third meeting is planned in July.
	Guidance on the regulatory and technical requirements of the WID is provided by my Department and the Welsh Assembly in "Guidance on Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste", available at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/wasteincin/pdf/wid-guidance.pdf.

Water Companies

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has made representations to Thames Water about its water leakage rates.

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings he  (a) has held and  (b) plans to hold with (i) Thames Water and (ii) Ofwat regarding Thames Water's performance against its leakage reduction targets.

Ian Pearson: The Secretary of State and I met with representatives of the water industry, including Thames Water, on 1 June to discuss the water supply challenges we face in the short, medium and long term. Leakage levels was one of the issues discussed. I also met separately with Thames Water in May and made it clear that their leakage rates were unacceptably high.
	I have discussed the issues of leakage and enforcement options available to Ofwat with them, however, I must add that Ofwat carries out its functions independently of Ministers.
	On 4 July, Ofwat announced it secured a legally binding undertaking, committing Thames Water to £150 million of additional investment in replacing leaking mains. This is more than double the maximum imposable fine and will come from the shareholder, not the bill payer. Ofwat has also set revised leakage targets for the period up to 2010 to get the company's leakage reduction back on track and to take leakage down to 720 rather than 725 megalitres per day by 2009-10. It is right that the consumer does not bear the burden of the increased investment needed for Thames Water to deal with its failure to meet its leakage targets.

Water Companies

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which water companies missed their leakage reduction targets in each year since 2001.

Ian Pearson: Ofwat have recognised that leakage is affected by severe weather conditions and since 2002-03 they have assessed the water companies' achievement of targets on a 36 month rolling average. Following Ofwat's assessment of the companies 2004-05 leakage performance, United Utilities and Thames Water were deemed to be operating above their 36-month average targets. Thames Water had targets suspended in 2001-02 and 2002-03 due to its performance and data problems.
	The following water companies missed their single year leakage reduction targets between 2001 and 2005:
	 2001-02
	Anglian Water
	Three Valleys Water
	Northumbrian Water (South)
	 2002-03
	Anglian Water
	Severn Trent Water
	United Utilities
	Three Valleys Water
	 2003-04
	Anglian Water
	Thames Water
	United Utilities
	Mid Kent Water
	Three Valleys Water
	 2004-05
	Thames Water
	United Utilities
	Cambridge Water

Water Desalination Plants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many water desalination plants are  (a) in operation,  (b) under construction and  (c) planned; what the location is of each; and which company is involved in each case.

Ian Pearson: The water companies' proposals for resource developments, including proposed desalination plants, were set out in their 25 year water resources plans, prepared in 2004. The Environment Agency reported on the appropriateness of those plans in 'Maintaining Water Supply', which is available from its website:
	http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/981441/837307/?version=1&lang=_e
	Currently, no water company has a desalination plant in operation. South East Water has been testing a pilot plant at Newhaven, although no water from this pilot project has gone into supply. The company is preparing the documentation to support a planning application for a plant at this site. Thames Water is appealing against the refusal of planning permission for a plant at Beckton in the Thames estuary. The company's water resources plan also identifies provision for a second plant in the 2020s. Folkestone and Dover Water plan a small desalination plant at Hythe in 2019 and Southern Water propose the development of a desalination plant in the 2020s.

Water Services

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many customers were in receipt of the vulnerable groups' tariff for each water company over the last three years for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: Each year, Ofwat collects information from companies on the number of households applying for, and successfully receiving, assistance offered under the Vulnerable Groups Regulations.
	The following table sets out the numbers for 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05.
	
		
			   Total number of applications  Total number of successful applications 
			  2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 
			 Anglian and HPL 958 1,293 1,311 993 843 682 
			 Dwr Cymru 121 374 417 78 245 319 
			 United Utilities 1,222 1,439 1,489 946 1,031 1,114 
			 Northumbrian and Essex and Suffolk 376 439 569 316 378 483 
			 Severn Trent 557 771 1 ,072 449 651 916 
			 South West 608 1,446 1,647 601 1,440 1,645 
			 Southern 332 278 262 325 271 258 
			 Thames 798 1,302 1,655 675 1,097 1,323 
			 Wessex 228 178 519 202 294 481 
			 Yorkshire and York 635 829 1,131 594 768 1,059 
			 Bournemouth and West Hampshire 50 69 87 50 69 73 
			 Bristol 97 120 118 93 99 93 
			 Cambridge 52 77 89 51 74 81 
			 Dee Valley 3 5 10 3 5 10 
			 Folkestone 29 32 28 12 11 12 
			 Mid Kent 66 86 171 66 83 138 
			 Portsmouth 15 14 25 14 13 24 
			 South East Water 87 85 105 65 78 91 
			 South Staffs. 63 37 39 32 36 39 
			 Sutton and East Surrey 7 10 38 5 10 38 
			 Tendring Hundred 156 119 103 132 98 87 
			 Three Valleys/North Surrey 213 81 275 157 49 251 
			 Water and Sewerage Companies 5,835 8,349 10,072 5,179 7,018 8,280 
			 Water Only Companies 838 735 1,088 680 625 937 
			
			 Industry 6,673 9,084 11,160 5,859 7,643 9,217

Affordable Housing

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on implementation of the recommendations of the Barker review on affordable housing.

John Healey: Good progress has been made on implementing the recommendations contained in the 'Barker Review of Housing Supply'.
	The Government set out, at the last pre-Budget report, an ambitious agenda to raise the level of house-building to 200,000 new homes a year over the next decade, making housing more affordable.
	So far we have succeeded in driving up housing supply, with new house building in England reaching 160,000 in 2005, the highest level since 1990.
	We have set out major reforms to encourage housing growth including a new 'Planning Policy Statement for Housing' to bring forward more land in response to demand, and a planning gain supplement to help fund infrastructure to support growth.

Stamp Duty

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2006,  Official Report, column 95W, on stamp duty 
	(1)  how much was raised in stamp duty from home sales in  (a) the United Kingdom,  (b) London,  (c) Southend and  (d) Wales in 2005-06;
	(2)  how much was raised in stamp duty from home sales in  (a) each local authority area,  (b) the United Kingdom,  (c) London,  (d) Scotland and  (e) Wales in the nearest year to 1997-98 for which figures are available.

Edward Balls: Estimates of stamp duty raised from home sales in 1997-98 in the United Kingdom, London, Scotland and Northern Ireland (combined) and Wales are available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stats/stamp_duty/table15_2_october04.xls
	Final figures for 2005-06 have not yet been published.

Tax Credits

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the level of fraud in the tax credit system in 2005-06.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC have published estimates of error and fraud for tax credits from the random enquiry programme on their website at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in HM Revenue and Customs to handle  (a) tax credit complaints and  (b) telephone calls about tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: On  (a), I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 13 December 2005,  Official Report, column 1835W, 18 July 2005,  Official Report, column 1333W, and 6 July 2005,  Official Report, column 437W.
	As to  (b), Around 3,500 FTE staff were employed on tax credits helplines in May 2006.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 3 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1724W, on tax credits, if he will break down the management information data collected by the period for which it is collected.

Dawn Primarolo: A wide variety of management information is kept across all the HMRC business areas involved in the administration of tax credits. This is a combination of reports and the extraction of supplementary information as and when required.
	Because of the large amount of information produced it is not practicable to provide a comprehensive breakdown. This management information is used to provide data for the Department's annual report.

International Finance Facility

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the international finance facility; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: The International Finance Facility for Immunization (IFFIm) was launched in September 2005 with contributions from France, Italy, Spain and Sweden, as well as the UK. Norway, Brazil and South Africa have since pledged contributions. The first bonds will be issued within a few months, and the IFFIm will begin purchasing vaccines and delivering these to the poorest countries through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) before the end of the year. The IFFIm will demonstrate the benefits of frontloading aid using legally binding, long-term commitments from donors through issuing bonds in international capital markets.
	The World Health Organisation estimates that frontloading aid and investing an extra $4 billion in vaccination now, the IFFIm is expected to save a total of 10 million lives, including 5 million children before 2015. The ongoing effectiveness of the disbursements will be monitored by GAVI.

Makinson Incentive Scheme

Mark Todd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the evaluation of the Makinson incentive scheme in HM Customs and Excise.

Dawn Primarolo: Incentive schemes for teams (team bonuses) were trialled within HM Customs and Excise between July 2000 and 31 December 2002 in two phases. The first, from 1 July 2000 to 31 March 2001 involved six teams and a total of 650 staff. A second more extensive trial took place between April 2002 and 31 December 2002. It involved 12 teams ranging in size from 24 to 890. The trials were subject to rigorous evaluation during and at the end of the trials.

Advanced Pricing Agreements

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many advanced pricing agreements  (a) have been made and  (b) were in force with multinational companies in each year since 2001; and in how many cases in each year (i) enforcement action was taken and (ii) penalties were imposed in transfer pricing disputes.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1258-59W.

Antique Imports

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what VAT regulations apply to importing antiques; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The law relating to the import of antiques is covered in the VAT Act 1994 as amended, Section 1 and Section 21 items (4 and 5(b)).

Financial Literacy

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned to ascertain the level of financial literacy in the UK; and whether this has sought to ascertain differences in financial literacy in different  (a) age groups,  (b) genders,  (c) classes,  (d) ethnic groups and  (e) occupations.

Edward Balls: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) in partnership with the Government, the financial services industry and voluntary organisations leads the national strategy for financial capability.
	The FSA recently published a comprehensive baseline survey(1) to establish the current state of financial capability in the UK. Published on 27 March 2006, the baseline survey identified five separate components of financial capability: making ends meet, keeping track of your finances, planning ahead, choosing financial products and staying informed about financial matters.
	The full research report "Consumer Research Paper 47—Levels of Financial Capability in the UK: Results of a Baseline Survey" (available at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/consumer-research/crpr47.pdf) provides detailed analysis of each component and includes commentary of differences by particular groupings such as age, gender, income, qualifications, ethnicity, employment status and housing tenure.
	Information on social class and occupation was not collected but the FSA have incorporated a proxy measure based on a wide range of life-stage characteristics(2) which is undergoing further analysis.
	The FSA continue to analyse the data, particularly to understand more about the needs of more vulnerable groups. The survey will be repeated in the next four to five years to assess the impact of initiatives targeted to improve financial capability.
	(1) In total 5,328 respondents were interviewed July-September 2005 to provide a robust measurement of financial capability in the UK population.
	(2) Using Experian's Financial Strategy Segments

New Buildings (VAT)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on proposals to exempt from value added tax new buildings for use by youth and educational facilities and the local community.

John Healey: VAT is chargeable on the construction of all new youth, educational or other community facilities, except those new buildings that will be used at least 90 per cent. for a relevant charitable purpose, such as the provision of free of charge education by a charity. In such cases, construction of the building is VAT zero-rated. VAT agreements with our European partners mean that while we can maintain this relief for the construction of charitable buildings, it cannot be extended further.

Pension Tax Relief

Clive Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will estimate the savings to public funds of restricting all pension tax relief to a maximum of 22 per cent.; and what that saving is estimated to be in the first year in which it is intended to implement the proposed new personal pension arrangements;
	(2)  if he will estimate the cost to public funds of the one per cent. contribution to be made to personal pension arrangements under the Government's recent proposals in the first year in which the arrangement will come into effect.

Edward Balls: In relation to the savings from restricting tax relief on pension contributions to a maximum of 22 per cent., I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) on 26 April 2006,  Official Report, column 1175W.
	The estimate of the cost to public funds of the tax relief available to individuals in the proposed system of personal accounts are extremely uncertain and will depend on individual levels of participation. The regulatory impact assessment (RIA) published in May 2006 by the Department for Work and Pensions "Security in Retirement: towards a new pensions system. Regulatory impact assessments and technical annexes" estimates that the increased saving resulting from the proposals could increase tax relief paid on individual contributions by around £1 billion once the scheme is fully operational. Using the same central assumption of take-up as the RIA for the first year of personal accounts, the cost of tax relief on individual contributions is estimated to be £350 million, of which £100 million is estimated to be higher rate tax relief. The costs are lower in the first year due to the proposed three-year phasing of contributions for both employers and employees.

Postage Stamps

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether postage stamps are subject to the same VAT regulations as other antiques when they have been imported into the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: Postage stamps that are no longer legal tender even if of an age of 100 years or over are covered by subsection (c) of section 21(5) of the VAT Act 1994 which states that any collection or collectors piece of philatelic interest qualifies for the reduced rate of VAT at 5 per cent. Antiques are covered by subsection (b) of 21(5) of the VAT Act 1994.

Clissold Road Swimming Pool

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with members and officers of the London borough of Hackney on the case of the closed Clissold road swimming pool.

Tessa Jowell: I have had no official discussions. Sport England has continued to monitor developments towards the re-opening of Clissold Leisure Centre, through a project working group established by the London borough of Hackney. Sport England has also instigated a series of meetings between its executive directors and a representative of the Mayor's office, in the London borough of Hackney. The objective of these meetings is to provide regular updates and to ensure that the agreed time scales and milestones towards the Centre's re-opening are being met.

Environmental Standards

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department  (a) is committed to the achievement of environmental management to ISO 14001 standard and  (b) has been externally certified as in compliance with that standard; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: New sustainable operations targets for the Government Estate were launched on 12 June by the Prime Minister and David Miliband (SoS, Defra).
	The new targets included a commitment that all Government Departments should have an Environmental Management System (EMS) in place, based, or modelled upon, a recognised system (such as ISO14001, or the European regulation EMAS).
	Previous target for EMSs for the Government Estate (published September 2002) had the same wording as the recently announced commitment.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport currently has an uncertified EMS based on IS014001 and has a planned timetable to certify its EMS externally in line with the new standards for IS014001 by March 2007.
	Departments have submitted data relevant to this question (including external certification) for annual Sustainable Development in Government Reports. The last Report published by the Sustainable Development Commission in December 2005, covering the reporting period April 2004 to March 2005, is available at: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/watchdog.

London Olympics

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  whether there are plans to allow members of the public to stay overnight in the Royal Parks during the 2012 Olympic games;
	(2)  what plans there are for public events in the Royal Parks during the 2012 Olympic games;
	(3)  what discussions have been held between her Department and representatives of the Royal Parks on use of those parks by members of the public during the 2012 Olympic games;
	(4)  what discussions have been held on the use of Richmond park during the 2012 Olympic games.

David Lammy: holding answer 12 July 2006
	Richmond park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve—as well as a candidate European Special Conservation Area—and there are no plans to use it for the Olympic games.
	Some of the other Royal Parks—Greenwich park, Hyde park, Regent's park and Horse Guards Parade in St. James's park—will be hosting Olympic events, and these are bound to affect whether, and how, the public will be able to use certain areas of these parks.
	Planning for the cultural programme and the details of the role that The Royal Parks will play in it, is still at an early stage. However, my officials have already been discussing with The Royal Parks how the games will impact on the parks, and will continue to involve them in the planning of those aspects of the games, and their attendant events, which might affect them before during and after the games take place.
	There are no plans to make the Royal Parks available for overnight accommodation during the games. There are thousands of hotels, guest houses and hostels in and around London, offering excellent accommodation.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parliamentary questions tabled to her Department were awaiting a reply on 10 July 2006; which of those had been waiting longer than  (a) two and  (b) three weeks for a reply; and what the reason for the delay was in each case.

David Lammy: 42 parliamentary questions tabled to DCMS were awaiting a reply on 10 July 2006. None of these had been waiting longer than two weeks for a reply.

Philip Anschutz

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she was informed of the Deputy Prime Minister's intention to stay with Philip Anschutz during his visit to the US in July 2005.

Tessa Jowell: I was not informed of the Deputy Prime Minister's intention to stay with Philip Anschutz and nor would I expect to have been.

Public Libraries

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2006,  Official Report, columns 1608-9W to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), on library closures, how many libraries  (a) closed,  (b) been scheduled for closure and  (c) opened in (i) rural areas and (ii) non-rural areas in that period; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The table in the answer to which the hon. Member refers was derived from the Public Library Statistics published annually by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). These do not break down the numbers of public libraries by rural and non-rural areas however defined.
	Nevertheless, the CIPFA statistics contain figures that allow year on year figures allowing comparisons to be made between the numbers of libraries operated by the London boroughs (inner, outer and the City); metropolitan districts; counties and unitary authorities. The statistics also offer breakdowns by English region. Copies are held by the House Library.

Public Libraries

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the  (a) performance and  (b) popularity of Sutton's self-service public library.

David Lammy: There has been no such assessment. Day to day operational issues are for the judgment of the 149 library authorities in England.
	However, I understand that the self issue facilities in place at Sutton's libraries have proved popular with the majority of users and, along with other improvements, have contributed to an increased number of visits and issues as well as helping with stock management.
	Part of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's (MLA's) role is to investigate and disseminate good practice. Some of the improvements at Sutton libraries are featured on the Designing Libraries website, jointly funded by the MLA, at www.designinglibraries.org.uk.

TV Licence Savings Card

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assistance her Department is giving to elderly people to transfer from television licence savings stamps to the new savings card before the deadline of 31 July; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of people have transferred from television licence savings stamps to the new savings card to date; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the number of elderly people who will have transferred from television licence savings stamps to the new savings card by 31 July; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the decision to replace television licence savings stamps with a savings card on  (a) people residing in rural areas and  (b) elderly people; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The provision of assistance to licence fee payers switching from savings stamps to savings cards is a matter for the BBC, as television licensing authority, rather than for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The corporation is also responsible for maintaining licensing records. I have asked the BBC's head of revenue management to reply.
	The Department's assessment of the impact of replacing savings stamps is likely to be limited. Stamp sales have been falling for several years, being 60 per cent. lower in 2005-06 than in 1999-2000. The introduction of free TV licences for over-75s has relieved some 3.5 million older citizens of the need to pay the licence fee.

TV Licences

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people  (a) received free television licences and  (b) evaded payment of a television licence in West Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Shaun Woodward: TV Licensing, which administers free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC do not record the number of free licences issued, or the estimated evasion rate, by parliamentary constituency. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in 2004-05 in the West Lancashire constituency was 4,975, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2006,  Official Report, column 967W, on roads, what modelling has been applied to the road schemes in the Highways Agency targeted programme of improvements on carbon dioxide emissions; whether the estimate from the Future of Transport White Paper included such modelling; and why this figure remained unchanged from the original 10-year Transport Plan of 2000 despite the inclusion of additional new schemes.

Stephen Ladyman: Modelling has been applied at two levels to the road schemes in the targeted programme of improvements (TPI).
	Firstly, at the individual scheme level where carbon dioxide assessments are carried out in accordance with the guidance in the Design Manual of Roads and Bridges (DMRB) volume 11.3.1. Secondly, at the national level (for all schemes) using the Department's National Transport Model.
	The road build included in our national modelling is the Highway Agency's (HA) illustrative forward programme of schemes. This includes those schemes in the targeted programme of improvements (TPI), plus an estimate of schemes that may make their way into the TPI going forward.
	The modelling carried out for the Future of Transport White Paper included this HA illustrative programme, with it adding around 0.15 million tonnes of carbon in 2010, in England. The carbon added from just the current TPI would, therefore, be somewhat less than this as my estimate of the 12 June response reflects.
	The modelling carried out for the 10-year Transport Plan gave an aggregated figure for the carbon impact of the plan as a whole (including sustainable distribution etc.) and did not split out the road build impact. However, given that the amount of road build in the 10-year plan is of a similar magnitude to that modelled for the White Paper, the carbon impact is likely to be of similar size as well.

Cars

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) percentage of households without access to a car (i) in total, (ii) in each region, (iii) in each local authority area, (iv) in each income quintile and (v) in each classification of residential neighbourhoods in (A) the latest year for which figures are available and in (B) 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Data available from the National Travel Survey on the number of households without access to a car in each region, and the percentage of households without access to a car, in (i) Great Britain, (ii) each region, (iii) each income quintile and (iv) by the Office for National Statistics area classification, are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Households without access to a car in Great Britain, by region, income quintile and ONS area classification 
			   Number (Thousand)  Percentage 
			   1997  2003  1996-98  2004 
			 Great Britain 7,110 — 30 26 
			  
			  Region 
			 North East 440 410 40 32 
			 North West and Merseyside 880 790 31 27 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 700 640 33 28 
			 East Midlands 470 380 28 24 
			 West Midlands 660 540 31 24 
			 Eastern 470 480 21 18 
			 London 1,150 1,250 38 41 
			 South East 640 620 20 19 
			 South West 460 430 22 18 
			 England 5,860 5,520 29 25 
			 Wales 370 330 31 24 
			 Scotland 830 — 38 32 
			  
			  Income quintile 
			 Lowest real income level — — 60 54 
			 Second level — — 50 37 
			 Third level — — 23 20 
			 Fourth level — — 11 11 
			 Highest real income level — — 5 8 
			  
			  ONS area classification 
			 Industrial Hinterlands — — — 28 
			 Traditional manufacturing — — — 40 
			 Built-up Areas — — — 43 
			 Prospering Metropolitan — — — 46 
			 Student Communities — — — 25 
			 Multicultural Metropolitan — — — 54 
			 Suburbs and Small towns — — — 16 
			 Coastal and Countryside — — — 20 
			 Accessible Countryside — — — 7 
		
	
	The data requested are not available by local authority. Data based on the ONS area classification are not available for 1997. Estimates of the number of households are available by region for 1997 and for English regions and Wales for 2003 but are not available for more recent years or by income quintile or area classification.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains per hour will use the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at Stratford during peak hours; how many of these will be  (a) domestic and  (b) international; and what the full passenger capacity of each train will be.

Derek Twigg: We will not be in a position to know how many trains per hour will use the CTRL at Stratford during peak hours until the domestic operator (London South Eastern Railways), and the international operator (Eurostar) announce their timetables for these new services.
	Subject to final confirmation of the design requirements, the high speed domestic trains are expected to comprise of six-car trains with about 350 seats. The six-car trains will be capable of being coupled together to run as 12-car trains. The international trains comprise 16 carriages and have 766 seats.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities there are at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for the return of original documents by secure delivery.

Stephen Ladyman: It should be emphasised that identity documents are required with applications for a first photocard driving licence only and where there are personal changes subsequently. As over 25 million drivers now have a photocard licence the requirement for identity documents is diminishing. In addition, arrangements are in place for digitised passports to be checked by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on line with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS). Non digitised UK passports can be checked at Post Offices, with the same facility available at DVLA's 40 Local Offices, who can also check ED passports and those from certain designated countries where licence exchange agreements exist. All these facilities remove the need for submission of a passport to DVLA.
	The use of Special/Recorded delivery arrangements for the return of all submitted identity documents to drivers has been examined, but it would involve substantial clerical intervention, which would result in a significant increase in the fees charged for driving licences. The use of plain fit for purpose envelopes by DVLA has not revealed any widespread problems. Some drivers send their own special envelopes for return, but this is a matter of personal choice.

Large Goods Vehicles

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce  (a) a mandatory register of large goods vehicles instructors and  (b) a system of check-testing rather than retesting for large goods vehicle instructors.

Stephen Ladyman: Currently we have no powers to introduce a mandatory register of LGV instructors. Parliament is currently considering a Road Safety Bill that includes provision to introduce such a scheme by regulation. Arrangements to assure standards maintenance would be part of the consultation before any scheme was introduced.
	Before the voluntary register was established in 1997, DSA proposed a continuing test of instructional fitness and ability (or 'check-test') as the means to stay on the register. In response to consultation with the road freight industry and its training representatives the industry argued strongly for re-qualifying exams involving practical assessment of driving as well as instruction as the means to remain qualified.

Nuclear Material (Transportation)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much nuclear material is typically transported in a nuclear transport vessel; and what assessment he has made of the impact on the marine environment in the event of an accident or attack causing all such material to leak into the sea.

Stephen Ladyman: All vessels carrying packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high level radioactive wastes must be certified as complying with the stringent criteria of the International Code for such cargoes known as the INF Code before they are able to be used for such purposes.
	It is not possible to quote 'typical quantities' transported in a nuclear transport vessel as the quantity of material varies according to the business contract being served.
	The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published a report in July 2001 to examine the severity, probability and risk of accidents during the maritime transport of radioactive material. In this study the IAEA considered the shipment of radioactive materials including the shipment of irradiated fuel, plutonium, high level vitrified wastes and fresh mixed oxide (MOX) fuel in a nuclear transport vessel. The study considered a number of issues related to accidents at sea, accident statistics, risk studies and emergency response. The study concluded that all the scientific information available in this area, demonstrated that there were very low levels of radiological risk and environmental consequences from the sea transport of radioactive material.

Ports

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the processes and procedures are for co-ordination between the port health authorities throughout the UK and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Stephen Ladyman: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Port Health Authorities, which:
	ensures that procedures are in place and implemented for the public health and safety of seafarers and passengers, and to prevent pollution from ships;
	ensures the most effective use of resources and expertise, to provide a joined up approach;
	promotes awareness of food safety and food hygiene and public health standards throughout the Maritime Industry;
	and
	allows for the appropriate enforcement of all relevant legislation to ensure that effective systems of food hygiene are maintained aboard ships.
	The Government keeps under review arrangements for co-ordination and co-operation between bodies with an interest in port health matters.

Reactor Fuel (Shipping)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether  (a) former roll-on-roll-off ferries and  (b) other single-hulled, single engine vessels have been used to transport mixed-oxide reactor fuel in British waters (i) since 1997 and (ii) in the last 30 years.

Stephen Ladyman: The transportation of mixed oxide reactor fuels is a commercial matter for the suppliers, carriers and owners of the material.
	All vessels used to transport mixed oxide reactor fuel must be certified as complying with the International Code for such cargoes known as the INF Code, before they are able to be used for such purposes.
	The criteria needed to be met by the INF Code vessels are stringent and include comprehensive certification, robust damage stability, enhanced fire safety measures, strict management and training of crew and a competent and well tested shipboard emergency plan.

Reactor Fuel (Shipping)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much mixed oxide reactor fuel has passed through British waters in each year since 1997; and from which countries it has come.

Stephen Ladyman: The amounts of mixed oxide reactor fuels on board ships is a commercial matter for the suppliers, carriers and owners of the material.

Reactor Fuel (Shipping)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes are planned to the way mixed oxide reactor fuel is transported in British waters.

Stephen Ladyman: The transport of mixed oxide reactor fuel is in accordance with a comprehensive framework of international regulations and agreements which are reflected in national legislation to ensure that the levels of safety provided by the equipment and its operation meet certain stringent requirements. The UK will continue to meet its obligations to implement the latest edition of these international regulations and agreements.
	As part of our continuing assessment of the radiological consequences of transporting radioactive material by sea studies are carried out on an approximate 10 year basis. We will be commissioning the next study within the next three months. Should the findings of this study require changes to the international regulations or agreements, then the UK Government will propose those changes by established processes, including consultation with industry and environmental stakeholders.

Tonnage Tax Participants

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid by tonnage tax participants as payment in lieu of training in each of the last five years for which records are available; and how the money was spent.

Stephen Ladyman: It was agreed when the tonnage tax scheme was devised that the collection of payments in lieu of training (PILOT) and the distribution of monies would be carried out independently of the Department. PILOT payments are made to the Maritime Training Trust (MTT), a body set up by the Chamber of Shipping and maritime trade unions, and the monies received are allocated by the Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF), a charity established by the MTT to promote UK seafarer training. My officials have contacted the MTT/MEF, who will provide the requested information direct to the hon. Member.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the value is of outstanding unpaid claims to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in respect of problems MOT garages have experienced with the new MOT computer system.

Stephen Ladyman: On 30 June 2006, there are unpaid claims totalling £114,300 relating to problems with MOT Computerisation. VOSA are considering each case submitted to determine whether it is justified.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people his Department calculated as being liable for payment of vehicle excise duty in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is levied on vehicles not individuals. As vehicles can be owned by more than one person or by a company or organisation, figures for the number of people liable to pay VED are not available. Statistics showing the numbers of licensed vehicles for each year from 1995-2005 are available on the Department for Transport website at the following address:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_611686.xls#'Table 1'!A1

Departmental Bills

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  if he will list those Government Bills sponsored by his Department that are still to be introduced during the 2005-06 session;
	(2)  if he will list the Government Bills sponsored by his Department that he has bid for in the next session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1431W, by my right hon. Friend, the Leader of the House.

Departmental Publications

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the draft Bills produced by his Department since October 2005; how many were examined or are planned to be examined by  (a) a Departmental Select Committee or a combination of Select Committees and  (b) a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: No draft Bills have been produced by the Scotland Office since October 2005. Announcements on future legislation and future draft legislation which will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny will be indicated in the Queen's Speech.

Air Conditioning Systems

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated average  (a) energy use,  (b) direct greenhouse gas emissions and  (c) indirect greenhouse gas emissions were for air conditioning systems to cool domestic homes in the last year for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	No detailed information is available about the number of air conditioning units in domestic homes or their associated energy consumption.
	However, the Government's market transformation programme (MTP) has collected estimates of the amount of energy consumed by air conditioning units in the UK that are subject to the Energy Information (Household Air Conditioners) Regulations 2005 (that is, units which consume less than 12 kilowatts). The 2005 regulatory impact assessment for those regulations indicate that these appliances, which are used in both domestic and commercial premises, consume about 5.6 terawatt hours of electricity per year. This is equivalent to approximately 672,000 tonnes of carbon. The report is available on the DEFRA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/energvlabeHing-regsaircon/index.htm
	No information is collected for indirect greenhouse gas emissions from these appliances.

Consolidated Resource Accounts

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) of 9 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1727W, on consolidated resource accounts, what the nature is of the cases referred to under parts  (b) and  (d) of the Special Payments losses.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Regarding the nature of the cases referred to under part  (b):
	Three payments were made to ex-members of DTI staff whose employment was terminated on inefficiency grounds. These payments, amounting to £33,487, relate to increases in compensation payments made to individuals following their appeal to the civil service Appeals Board. These payments represent 0.01 per cent. of the total value of the Department's staff costs.
	Regarding the nature of the cases referred to under part  (d):
	Miscellaneous payments to DTI staff for damage to property, personal injury and miscalculations of entitlement amounting to £78,274 can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Description  £ 
			 An overpayment of pension benefits due to an error in the pension calculation of an ex-employee. When the error came to light the DTI had to re-imburse Cabinet Office as the original payment had been met from their vote. 24,000 
			 A payment to an individual who retired on compulsory early retirement terms. The sum represents 3 months salary in lieu of notice. 18,000 
			 Payments were made to a member of staff at Westfield House to cover compensation for personal injury and related legal fees. 15,000 
			 A payment was made under the Disability Discrimination Act in an out of court settlement following a harassment complaint from a member of staff. 7,000 
			 A payment was made to a former employee to settle a possible tribunal case, arising from alleged discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act. 2,500 
			 Payments made to cover damage to Government or Government-hired vehicles. 1,450 
			 Minor payments, less than £1,000 each, were made for personal injury claims. 10,325 
			 Total 78,275

Energy Use

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to help companies who are heavy energy users to maintain competitiveness with European competitors.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government understands the tough conditions that energy consumers are operating in, and is leaving no stone unturned, working closely with industry, to find solutions and reduce the impact. The Government fully appreciates that high energy prices do create problems for the competitiveness of industry, and takes very seriously the potential loss of jobs and investment.
	Estimates suggest that in April 2006 industrial gas and electricity prices in the UK including taxes were above the EU median for all but the smallest consumers. However, historically prices to industrial users have been below the EU median, and right up to October 2005 prices were no higher than the EU median, except for the very largest energy consumers.
	Our discussions with the Energy Intensive Users' Group and others have helped us focus our efforts on maximising gas and electricity supplies, improving the operation of the market, encouraging demand side response and pursuing fair access to markets across Europe. Over the summer we are pursuing a detailed work plan with Ofgem, National Grid, industry and others to ensure we have examined all the options and that we are in the best possible position ahead of next winter. The new Business Energy Forum, co-chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and Richard Lambert of the CBI, and which met for the first time on 5 July, is monitoring this work and looking at other strategic energy issues impacting on business.
	Other Ministers and I will continue to take every opportunity to raise the issue of implementation of energy market liberalisation across the EU in meetings with the Commission and our opposite numbers in other member state governments. We welcome the Commission's decision to initiate infraction proceedings against seventeen member states, and the series of dawn raids in six member states in pursuance of anti-trust action. These actions should lead to a change of behaviour across the EU.

Post Office Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department will undertake a review of Post Office service provision in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We are currently considering options for the Post Office network beyond 2008. There has already been informal consultation with key stakeholders and we expect to consult more widely in due course.
	Post Office Ltd (POL) recently produced a report on rural pilot activity around innovative ways of delivering postal services. We are looking at the findings of the report and want others to have the chance to do the same. No further decisions on the rural network will be taken until we have had the time to fully consider the report and views of stakeholders.

Deputy Prime Minister

Paul Beresford: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2006,  Official Report, column 729W, on the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will seek to include the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister within the remit of a Select Committee.

Jack Straw: No.

FIFA World Cup

Greg Hands: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which matches  (a) the Secretary of State and  (b) other Ministers in her Department attended at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany in their ministerial capacity; at what cost to public funds; and with what contribution from third party organisations.

Bridget Prentice: None

Prime Minister's Question Time

Anne Main: To ask the Prime Minister whether  (a) he and  (b) his officials contact Labour Members have been successful in the shuffle for Prime Minister's Question Time to ascertain the nature of their intended supplementary questions.

Tony Blair: No.

Arms Controls

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made on increasing the transparency and effectiveness of the UK's arms controls.

Kim Howells: The Government remain committed to ensuring that the United Kingdom's export control system is as rigorous and effective as any in the world. This commitment is clearly reflected in the Export Control Act (2002), which was the first major legislative development in this area since 1939. We are continuing to take up the challenge of implementing these comprehensive new controls, some in areas which bring in activities not previously subject to control. On greater transparency, we have introduced quarterly reports (which are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1089131553823, and provide detailed information on our export licensing decisions. The 2005 annual report on the UK's Strategic Export Controls will also be published in a new format later this month. These initiatives illustrate our commitment to maintain, and expand, the high standard of transparency and accountability in the area of export controls that we established with the launch of our first annual report in 1997.

Israel/Palestine

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the likelihood of extended Israeli military action in the West Bank following the military incursions into Gaza which commenced on 27 June 2006; and what representations she is making on the issue.

Kim Howells: We are not aware of any plans for extended military action in the West Bank by Israel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Livni on 6 July and made clear her concern that military action was not extended into the West Bank. Our embassy in Tel Aviv and officials in London continue to engage with Israel on the issue.
	We continue to urge both parties to act with restraint and end the current violence, which only make the prospect of a negotiated, peaceful resolution more distant.
	We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit, and for the Palestinian Authority to prevent all acts of terrorism against Israel. We urge the Israeli military to do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties, and abide by international law. All military action should abide by the principle of proportionality.

Access to Work Scheme

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled staff in his Department received support through the Access to Work scheme  (a) in each of the last five years and  (b) in 2006-07.

Anne McGuire: Up to March 2003, any DWP employee requiring equipment and adaptation support would have received the necessary support and costs would have been attributed to the national Access to Work budget. Jobcentre Plus Access to Work did not collect the numbers of departmental disabled staff accessing adaptations and equipment support.
	Currently any DWP employee requiring equipment and adaptation support receives the necessary support but costs are now attributed to individual local budgets. Prior to the introduction of our new Resource Management System we are collecting clerical statistical data on numbers of reasonable adjustments undertaken each quarter. The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Reasonable adjustments undertaken 
			  Quarter ending  Number 
			 August 2005 492 
			 December 2005 545 
			 March 2006 321

Hunting

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training has been provided to police on the enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004.

Tony McNulty: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued specific guidance to forces and provided a training package covering strategic and tactical considerations in relation to the enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004 Furthermore, the initial police learning and development programme (IPLDP) provides all forces in England and Wales with the flexibility to tailor their individual training packages for new police officers to meet the needs of the community that they serve. Legislation that is especially relevant to the policing of a particular community will be incorporated within the delivery of the programme in that area, thus paving the way for student officers to develop a more detailed understanding of local issues at an early stage in their careers.

Audiology

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her response of 20 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1789W to the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle), on audiology, within what average period new patients in  (a) the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley primary care trust (PCT) area and  (b) each other PCT area in the new south east coast strategic health authority area have been fitted with digital hearing aids since they became available in each PCT.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Choose and Book Service

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the  (a) robustness,  (b) ease of use and  (c) reliability of the choose and book system.

Andy Burnham: To ensure robustness, the performance of the choose and book system was tested before implementation and is re-tested as changes are made. The test results have all been within agreed service levels.
	The service was designed to be as user friendly as possible. Ease of use is regularly assessed in partnership with regional user groups as well as national groups such as the national clinical reference panel and the design steering group. Potential improvements are identified by these groups with changes delivered in subsequent releases of the software. Local benchmarking suggests that choose and book has excellent usability when the local configuration is correct.
	Over the last 12 months, choose and book has been available to general practitioners more than 99 per cent., of the time and agreed service levels are being met.

Choose and Book Service

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date the choose and book system was expected to have achieved 100 per cent. roll-out when it was first announced; what targets have been issued since then; whether those targets have been met; and what percentage roll-out had been achieved on the last date for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The aim of the national health service improvement plan in 2004 was for 100 per cent., e-booking by the end of December 2005. This became unachievable due to subsequent developments in the technical requirements of the service and the greater implementation challenge that these represented. We now expect to reach a choose and book utilisation level of 90 per cent., of general practitioner referrals by the end of March 2007. As at 2 July 2006, utilisation stood at 20.4 per cent.
	All eligible acute providers in England are now live and accepting bookings through choose and book. Bookings are made through either an integrated patient admission system or indirectly bookable services functionality.

Clostridium Difficile

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) males and (b) females in (i) Southend-on-Sea, (ii) Essex and (iii) England and Wales were infected with clostridium difficile infections in each of the last three years, broken down by age.

Andy Burnham: Data for Southend on Sea and Essex are not available. However, data from the voluntary reporting scheme run by the Health Protection Agency for Eastern England and England and Wales is shown in the following table.
	
		
			2003  2004  2005( 1)  2003  2004  2005( 1)  2003  2004  2005( 1) 
			  1 year   
			  Female 26 23 14 5 16 11 99 79 77 
			  Male 12 16 14 16 7 8 74 67 66 
			  Unknown  2 15   6 1 3 71 
			  1-4 years   
			  Female 10 18 11 3 11 3 61 74 57 
			  Male 30 19 1 3 4  104 76 3 
			  Unknown 1 1 10   2 2 3 38 
			  5-9 years   
			  Female 9 6 2  1 1 26 23 21 
			  Male 10 7 6 2 1 3 34 26 34 
			  10-14 years   
			  Female 8 3 9 1  4 35 27 43 
			  Male 2 7 1 2 1  29 28 1 
			  15-44 years   
			  Female 119 143 115 41 60 50 832 968 1,099 
			  Male 108 114 92 24 36 21 692 806 871 
			  Unknown  2 2  1 1 7 8 11 
			  45-64 years   
			  Female 278 311 333 101 111 127 1,896 2,168 2,420 
			  Male 270 272 321 92 136 101 1,837 2,120 2,417 
			  Unknown 1 2 613 14 21 
			  65-74 years   
			  Female 435 579 568 159 196 159 2,869 3,763 4,087 
			  Male 413 539 590 142 189 175 2,777 3,613 4,203 
			  Unknown 1 8 1225 32 44 
			  75+ years   
			  Female 2,167 2,655 2,891 635 805 770 13,290 16,493 19,069 
			  Male 1,253 1,589 1,823 352 528 485 7,744 9,634 11,269 
			  Unknown 9 21 44 3 1 2 79 107 145 
			  Unknown   
			  Female 37 19 14 3 6 5 345 159 116 
			  Male 27 15 8 3   262 78 69 
			  Unknown 6 3 5  4 5 68 30 249 
			 Grand total  58,231 6,377 6,907 1,587 2,114 1,939 33,201 40,399 46,501 
			 (1)The data for 2005 is provisional and all data are subject to change due to late reporting. Notes:  1. The data on cases reported in babies (less than one year) should be treated with caution. They may not represent infections because asymptomatic carriage is common in babies.  2. The data was extracted on Tuesday 27 June 2006.

Community Hospitals

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her statement on community hospitals on 5 July 2006,  Official Report, columns 816-32, with particular reference to the presumption against taking decisions in response to short-term budgetary pressures, if she will ask the West Midlands strategic health authority to ensure that proposals from the South Worcester primary care trust to close palliative care beds at Evesham community hospitals are withdrawn.

Caroline Flint: The configuration of local health care services in a particular area requires local decision-making. Primary care trusts, are best placed to make those decisions in consultation with local people and their strategic health authorities (SHAs).
	SHAs should assure themselves that proposals for changes to community hospitals are consistent with the long-term strategy of the White Paper, Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services.

Dentistry

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take to monitor the quantity and quality of single-tooth dentures imported from countries outside the European Union.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 12 July 2006
	The Medical Devices Regulations 2002 for which the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) acts as the regulatory authority on behalf of the Secretary of State, does not regulate the quantity of dentures imported from countries outside the European Union. They do, though, contain requirements for the safety and fitness for purpose of custom-made dental appliances which all manufacturers, wherever they are based, should ensure are met before placing their dentures on the United Kingdom (UK) market. Where the manufacturer is based outside the European Community they are also required under the regulations to appoint an authorised representative to register on their behalf with the member state competent authority where they have their registered place of business. MHRA conducts an annual programme of inspections of custom made appliance manufacturers and authorised representatives based in the UK selected at random.

Dentistry

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there was in the number of  (a) single tooth dentures and  (b) single-tooth crowns provided during the dental contract pilot schemes between 2004 and 2006.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 12 July 2006
	The table shows the number of single tooth dentures, including incomplete dentures, and single tooth crowns, including temporary and incomplete crowns, in personal dental services (PDS) pilots between 2004 and 2005.
	
		
			  Specific PDS treatments in England as at 31 March for each year 
			  Year ending  Single tooth dentures  Single tooth crown claims 
			 March 2004 1,244 6,488 
			 March 2005 5,403 36,396 
			 March 2006 19,379 127,767 
			  Source:  NHS Business Services Authority 
		
	
	
		
			  The number of PDS dentists increased considerably over the same period 
			  Year ending  PDS dentists 
			 March 2004 917 
			 March 2005 3,665 
			 March 2006 6,219 
			  Source:  NHS Business Services Authority

Diabetes

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most recent rate of registered diabetes was in  (a) Stoke-on-Trent,  (b) the West Midlands and  (c) England.

Rosie Winterton: The figures are not available in the format requested. The most recent data available on people registered as having diabetes is from the quarter four local delivery plan returns (LDPR) for 2005-06. The total numbers of patients with diabetes on practice-based registers for Stoke-on-Trent, the West Midlands and England, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Organisation/ primary care trust (PCT)  Number of people with diabetes as recorded on practice-based registers  General practitioner (GP) registered population  Rate per 100,000 population 
			  Stoke on Trent
			 Newcastle Under Lyne PCT 4,193 101,119 4,147 
			 North Stoke PCT 5,659 123,684 4,575 
			 South Stoke PCT 5,881 132,460 4,440 
			 
			  West Midlands
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 58,443 1,473,728 3,699 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 103,680 2,301,208 4,505 
			 West Midlands South 56,146 1,552,427 3,617 
			 
			  England 1,884,712 49,878,931 3,779

Diabetes

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had with Diabetes UK about the impact on patients of proposed price reductions set out in the consultation arrangements for the provision of dressings and chemical reagents to primary care;
	(2)  what discussions her Department has had with the in vitro diagnostics industry on the impact of proposed price changes to chemical reagents on their ability to continue to provide patient services and hardware free of charge;
	(3)  when her Department will publish in full the responses received to the Government consultation on the arrangements for the provision of dressings, incontinence appliances, stoma appliances, chemical reagents and other appliances to primary and secondary care;
	(4)  pursuant to the Government consultation arrangements for the provision of dressings and chemical reagents to primary care, what criteria were used to determine the figure of 15 per cent. for the proposed price reduction for chemical reagents; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  what discussions have taken place between the diabetes policy team and the commercial directorate in her Department on her Department's consultations on  (a) arrangements for the provision of dressings, incontinence appliances, stoma appliances, chemical reagents and other appliances to primary and secondary care, and  (b) arrangements for the provision of dressings and chemical reagents to primary care; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  what factors were taken into account when setting the length of the consultation period for her Department's consultation on arrangements for the provision of dressings and chemical reagents to primary care; and if she will make a statement;
	(7)  what steps she is taking to ensure that the availability of blood-glucose testing products and support services to diabetes patients will not be affected by proposed changes in the Government consultation arrangements for the provision of dressings and chemical reagents to primary care.

Andy Burnham: The Department has been reviewing the arrangements for the provision of chemical reagents (blood glucose testing strips), dressings, incontinence appliances and stoma appliances and to primary and secondary care since October 2005.
	In the intervening period, two consultations papers have been published that sought views from interested parties on proposed changes to the arrangements. Interested parties includes patients, the national health service and manufacturers and suppliers. These parties were informed that the Department was seeking their comments on the proposed changes. Responses were received to both consultations from Diabetes UK and from the in-vitro diagnostic industry - both individually and through their trade body, BIVDA.
	The first consultationarrangements for the provision of chemical reagents, dressings, incontinence appliances and stoma appliances and to primary and secondary carewas open for 90 days and the secondarrangements for the provision of dressings and chemical reagents to primary carefor 30 days.
	The shorter period for the second consultation was judged to be warranted as it was part of an ongoing process that had begun with the first consultation in October 2005.
	The second consultation stated that the Department believes that current reimbursement prices for some dressings and reagents may not represent value-for-money for either the NHS or taxpayers. Therefore, it proposed that a reduction in the reimbursement price through Part IX of the drug tariff should be made on some dressings and some reagents and sought views on this.
	The proposed reduction in the reimbursement price on some reagents was 15 per cent. In arriving at this, the Department believes that one of the clearest indications of value-for-money is the difference between reimbursement prices in primary care, and the prices at which these products are available in secondary care. The Department believes that a comparison between the sectors is appropriate, subject to a number of adjustments to reflect factors unique to each sector.
	These factors include differences in the underlying costs associated with supply of products to primary and secondary care. Packaging specifications, pack sizes, logistics costs and margins across the supply chain, amongst other things, have an affect on price, and were taken into account in the analysis.
	The Department also took into account the claims that were made about the provision of 'free' testing meters in primary care when comparing pricing between the two sectors.
	Overall, there is a difference of up to 35 per cent., between reimbursement prices in primary care and prices paid in secondary care. The size of difference cannot be reasonably explained by the factors outlined above.
	The Department's diabetes policy teamwhich includes Dr Sue Roberts, national clinical director for diabeteshas been kept informed throughout the process.
	Until such time as the review has been completed, the Department is not in a position to comment on plans to ensure the availability of blood glucose testing strips.
	Regarding the publication of responses in full to the consultations on the arrangements for the provision of chemical reagents, dressings, incontinence appliances and stoma appliances and to primary and secondary care, the Department considers that it is reasonable to withhold publication until a future date pending the outcome of on-going discussions and further consultations on future arrangements.
	Disclosure of the responses to the first consultation would be likely to influence or inhibit those responding to the further consultations and prevent the Department from obtaining fair and representative views from stakeholders.
	The Department considers that the public interest in disclosing the responses is outweighed by the public interest in withholding them. This is because although there is an inherent public interest in openness and accountability in Government, there is a greater public interest in ensuring that the Department's consultation process is effective and that the Department negotiates new arrangements that deliver fair prices for the NHS and reasonable returns for suppliers.

Drug Costs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on national health service drugs in each of the last three years; what the percentage change was in each year; and by how much remuneration to prescribing pharmacists has changed in the last three years.

Andy Burnham: Expenditure on national health service drugs in each of the last three years, with percentage growth, is shown in table one.
	
		
			   Net ingredient cost ( million)  Percentage growth 
			 2002 6,846.656  
			 2003 7,510.134 9.69 
			 2004 8,079.567 7.58 
			 2005 7,936.564 -1.77 
		
	
	These figures are from the prescription cost analysis (PCA) system, supplied by the prescription pricing division of the NHA Business Services Authority (formerly known as the Prescriptions Pricing Authority). Fees paid to pharmacists from central non-discretionary funds for the dispensing of prescriptions and provision of pharmaceutical services in each of the last three years, with percentage growth, are shown in table two.
	
		
			   Fees paid ( million)  Percentage growth 
			 2002-03 800.842  
			 2003-04 837.436 4.57 
			 2004-04 861.460 2.87 
			 2005-06 986.586 14.52 
			  Note:Figures are resource costs. 2005-06 figures are unaudited.

Fibromyalgia

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what information is  (a) published by her Department and  (b) available via NHS Direct on fibromyalgia; when the last update was made to the information available; and when the last update to such information was undertaken;
	(2)  whether she has discussed treatment and care for people with fibromyalgia with UK based fibromyalgia support charities.

Ivan Lewis: Ministers have not held any recent discussions with fibromyalgia support charities on the treatment and care of people with this condition.
	NHS Direct publishes health information in a variety of media, including the NHS Direct online website and the NHS Direct interactive digital television service (NHS Direct interactive). Through these services, people have access to information on a range of conditions and illnesses, including fibromyalgia. Information provided by NHS Direct is reviewed and updated on a regular basis and individual web pages contain details of when the information was last updated.
	Additionally, PRODIGY guidance, which is available on its website at www.prodigy.nhs.uk, offers advice on the management of a range of conditions and symptoms, including fibromyalgia, that are commonly seen in primary care. The guidance is advisory and has been developed to assist healthcare professionals, together with patients, make decisions about the management of the patients health. Guidance contained on the website is reviewed on a regular basis.

Food Supplements Directive

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent research she has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effect of the food supplements directive on the UK food supplements industry; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent meetings she has held with  (a) the UK food supplements industry,  (b) the European Commission and  (c) the Prime Minister on the food supplements directive; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: A regulatory impact assessment was carried out in relation to the food supplements directive in 2003, which evaluated the impact on the United Kingdom food supplements industry.
	The Public Health Minister held a series of meetings with the UK food supplements industry in March 2006 to discuss the issue of food supplements, and has recently met with the representatives from No. 10, Cabinet Office and the Food Standards Agency to discuss this issue.

Framing Legislation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her practice is regarding meeting, discussing and taking into account the views and opinions of  (a) private individuals and  (b) representatives of organisations when drawing up and framing legislation to be introduced by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department always seeks a full range of views when drawing up and framing legislation. Consultation is a key part of the policy-making process; both informal and formal.
	A recent example was the consultation leading up to the White Paper 'Our health, our care, our say', which involved a wide range of face-to-face events, including four regional consultation events and a national citizens' summit for one thousand people in Birmingham on 29 October 2005. There were 150 local consultation events organised by voluntary and statutory organisations, attended by over 8,000 people. Face-to-face debates were backed-up by over 33,000 completed questionnaires and a major usage and attitudes survey.
	The Department holds regular meetings with representatives of the principal stakeholder groups for our policy areas and with relevant experts. Organisations and individuals can also contribute to the Department's formal consultations which abide by the code of conduct on consultation. Known stakeholders are alerted to the fact that a formal consultation is taking place. As required by the code, the Department then gives feedback on the responses received and on how the consultation process influenced the policy decision.

General Practitioners

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners per head of population there are in Yeovil constituency.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, the information on how many general practitioners there are per head of population in South Somerset primary care trust (PCT) area is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  South Somerset PCT 
			   Number 
			 All practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(1) 107 
			 All practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(1) per 100,000 head of population 70.4 
			 (1) General medical practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars, includes contracted general practitioners, general medical services others and personal medical services others. 2004 population figures from the 2001 Office of National Statistics (ONS) resident estimates have been used for 2005 organisation calculations, as population figures for 2005 at organisation level are not yet available.   Sources:  The Information Centre for health and social care general and personal medical services statistics. 2001 ONS population census.

General Practitioners

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost is of the additional pension liability associated with the new GP contract; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Government Actuary's Department has valued the total liabilities of the NHS Pension Scheme as at 31 March 2005 to be 127.9 billion. They are in the process of preparing a detailed actuarial valuation of the scheme as at 31 March 2004 which will be published later this year which will include analysis of the factors leading to any change in valuation.

Import Licence Applications

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many parallel import licence  (a) applications and  (b) variations were received by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency in each of the last 12 months; how many outstanding licence applications and variations were waiting to be processed by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency in each month; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Parallel import licence applications and variations received by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the 12 months July 2005 to June 2006 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Received  Applications  Variations 
			  2005   
			 July 60 25 
			 August 177 68 
			 September 922 549 
			 October 499 821 
			 November 181 730 
			 December 192 717 
			
			  2006   
			 January 425 600 
			 February 1,080 348 
			 March 518 353 
			 April 103 570 
			 May 237 513 
			 June 304 499 
		
	
	Figures for the monthly outstanding licence applications and variations waiting to be processed for the previous 12 months are not available. Pending applications are all applications that have been received by the MHRA but have not completed the licensing process. These applications are at various stages of the licensing process with the responsibility for the next step either with the MHRA or the applicant. For the pending applications the MHRA has responsibility for approximately 48 per cent. of the licence applications and 33 per cent. of the variations. The remaining applications require an action from the applicants.
	The pending application figures for July 2005 and June 2006 are:
	
		
			  Pending  Applications  Variations 
			 July 2005 3,290 5,093 
			 June 2006 5,140 6,118 
		
	
	The current MHRA performance in the processing of parallel import applications is not satisfactory. The large number of pending applications has been a result of increased volume of applications being received on a year on year basis as well as some severe operational problems developed with the new information management system introduced August 2005.
	Many system improvements affecting both the function and the speed of new information system have now been implemented and staff are more familiar with the use and new ways of working with the system. Since January 2006 the electronic portal has been available to companies for electronic submission of applications. This has major benefits as electronic submission via this system cuts down on initial administrative processing at the MHRA and facilitates more immediate and reliable exchange of correspondence on applications.
	Further implemented measures such as increasing number of assessors and out-of-hours bonus exercise for assessors are resulting in increased throughput of work. The MHRA is paying very close attention to the MHRA's performance and they are monitoring weekly so as to evaluate the effect of strategies that are in place to improve the level of service.

Intermediate Care Beds

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intermediate care beds there have been in the NHS in each year since 2000; and what plans she has to monitor the number of intermediate care beds situated in community or cottage hospitals.

Ivan Lewis: Data on the number of intermediate care beds, the number of places in non-residential intermediate care schemes and the number of people using intermediate care is collected and is shown in the table. There are no plans to expand the data collection.
	
		
			   Number of places in non-residential IC schemes  Number of intermediate care beds  Number of people using intermediate care 
			 1999-2000 7,149 4,242 132,447 
			 2000-01 (1) (1) (1) 
			 2001-02 13,878 7,021 246,034 
			 2002-03 19,078 7,493 284,365 
			 2003-04 17,339 8,697 333,821 
			 2004-05 20,558 8,928 362,664 
			 2005-06 20,637 9,007 393,362 
			 (1 )Information not collected   Notes:  LDPR lines 8105, 8157 and 8305.

Medical Staff (Pay Increases)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage pay rise in  (a) cash and  (b) real terms has been awarded to (i) doctors, (ii) dentists and (iii) nurses in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The following table shows the pay uplifts awarded to nurses and to hospital doctors and dentists in cash and real terms since 1997.
	
		
			   Nurses  Hospital doctors and dentists 
			   Cash terms  (percentage)  Real terms( 1)( ) (percentage)   Cash terms  (percentage)  Real terms( 1)( ) (percentage) 
			 1997-98 3.3 staged(2) 0.3  3.4 staged(3) 0.4 
			   
			 1998-99 3.8 staged(4) 1.2  4.2 plus 0.35 for pensions staged(4) 1.6 
			   
			 1999-2000 4.7 plus uprating of some allowances 2.7  3.5 plus 500 on consultants' scale maximum 1.5 
			   
			 2000-01 3.4 plus uprating of some allowances and changes to grade D incremental scale 2.1  3.3 2.0 
			   
			 2001-02 3.7 plus average 2 for F-I grades by consolidation of discretionary points 1.2  3.9 1.4 
			   
			 2002-03 3.6 plus increase in allowances and changes to some pay scales 0.4  3.6 plus increases in pay scale maxima for senior house officers, staff grades and associate specialists 0.4 
			   
			 2003-04 3.225 0.6  3.225 plus changes to pay scale for staff grades and associate specialists 0.6 
			   
			 2004-05 3.225 1.0 Consultants on 2003 contract 3.225 1.0 
			Consultants on pre-2003 contract 2.5 0.3 
			Doctors in training 2.7 0.5 
			Staff grades and associate specialists 2.7 plus changes to incremental and discretionary scales 0.5 
			   
			 2005-06 3.225 1.1 Consultants on 2003 contract 3.225 1.1 
			Consultants on pre-2003 contract 3.0 0.9 
			Doctors in training 3.0 0.9 
			Staff grades and associate specialists 3.225 1.1 
			   
			 2006-07 2.5 0.1 Consultants on 2003 contract 2.2 staged(5) -0.2 
			Consultants on pre-2003 contract 2.2 staged(5) -0.2 
			Doctors in training 2.2 -0.2 
			Staff grades and associate specialists 2.4 0.0 
			 (1) Using gross domestic product deflator as at 29 March 2006(2) Staged: 2.8 per cent. from 1 April 1997 balance from 1 December 1997(3) Staged: 2 per cent. from 1 April 1997 balance from 1 December 1997(4) Staged: 2 per cent. from 1 April 1998 balance from 1 December 1998(5) Staged: 1 per cent. from 1 April 2006 balance from 1 November 2006

Mental Health Staff

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) professional and  (b) non-professional child and adolescent mental health staff are in post in each primary care trust area; and how many were in post in each relevant health area per 100,000 population in each of the previous 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held at primary care trust level and it is not possible to separate all of the information requested because of the way the non-medical work force census is collected.
	However, the following data has been placed in the Library:
	National health service hospital and community health services: non-medical staff in England by each specified area of work by strategic health authority (SHA) area as at 30 September each specified year;
	Hospital and community health services: medical staff working within the child and adolescent psychiatry specialty by SHA; and
	NHS staff in England by each specified mental health staff group per 100,000 population as at 30 September each specified year.

NHS Contracts

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of the new NHS contracts and pay deals on  (a) encouraging qualified doctors and nurses (i) to stay in and (ii) to return to the NHS and  (b) attempts to create a more flexible workforce with greater scope for team working and fewer barriers between different staff groups.

Rosie Winterton: For qualified doctors, there has been a fall in the three-month vacancy rate for medical and dental consultants: from 4.7 per cent. in 2003 compared to 4.4 per cent. in 2004 and 3.3 per cent. in 2005. For nurses, there has been a fall in the vacancy from 2.9 per cent. in 2003 compared to 2.6 per cent. in 2004 and 1.9 per cent. in 2005.
	NHS employers are gathering a variety of evidence that demonstrates how national health service organisations are using the new pay systems to deliver a more flexible workforce. Some of this is already accessible on the NHS employers website. This will also feed into the integrated service improvement programme, led by strategic health authorities.

NHS Performance

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her oral statement of 7 June 2006,  Official Report, column 264, on NHS performance, what assessment her Department has made of the extent to which the budget available to the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust reflects the health needs of the local population; what assessment she has made of the reasons for its deficit; and who is responsible for tackling the deficit.

Ivan Lewis: The Department makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) but not to national health service trusts. PCTs commission services from trusts, which are the providers.
	In the past, a provider's income was determined by historical cost and the negotiating ability of local managers. Payment by results is a fairer and more transparent method of rewarding providers.
	Under payment by results, the income of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is determined by the amount of activity which takes place, paid for at the rates specified in the national tariff, and adjusted by the market forces factor. For activity which is outside the scope of the national tariff, prices are agreed locally.
	It is for the NHS South West to make any such assessment, and take the necessary action in co-operation with the local NHS. my hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health, was advised by KPMG as part of the initial assessment for turnaround in February 2006, that Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust was a category one organisation, and would thus require immediate support to deliver a turnaround.

Non-medical Workforce Census

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which types of staff work in the community services subgroup of the NHS non-medical workforce census, published on 24 April 2006.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is community matron, district nurses, health visitors, school nursing service nurses and other qualified community service nurses. In addition there are other nurses working in the community: practice nurses, community psychiatric nurses and community learning disability nurses. The total of these community nurses in September 2005 was 105,753 compared with 77,249 in 1997.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in England the community services and school nursing areas of work by level as at 30 September 2005 
			  Headcount 
			   Total community services  Community services  School nursing 
			 Total qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 63,257 60,370 2,887 
			 Nurse consultant 127 127 0 
			 Modern matron 271 267 4 
			 Manager 1,392 1,369 23 
			 Registered nursechildren. 333 333 0 
			 Health visitor 12,818 12,818 0 
			 District nurses 12,067 12,067 0 
			 School nurses who hold a post registration school nursing qualification 943 0 943 
			 Other first level 33,159 31,385 1,774 
			 Other second level 2,147 2,004 143 
			  Source:The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census 2005

Obesity

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of  (a) children and  (b) adults in (i) Yeovil constituency, (ii) Somerset and (iii) the South West are (A) obese and (B) overweight when measured by body mass index according to the Government's most recent health survey figures.

Ivan Lewis: The main source of data on the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children and adults is the Health Survey for England (HSE). Data is not available in the format requested. Tables 1 to 4 set out the most recent data on the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adults.
	Table 1 presents the data on overweight and obesity among adults in Somerset and Dorset (the strategic health authority (SHA) which contains Yeovil). The sample size of the HSE does not allow figures to be produced below SHA level, nor does it allow an SHA breakdown for children. Body mass index (BMI) is a common method of evaluating individual people to see if they are overweight or obese. A BMI between 25 to 30 is overweight and over 30 is referred to as obese.
	
		
			  Table 1: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 16 and over in Somerset and Dorset SNA (three-year average), 2000-02 
			   Percentage 
			  Men  
			 Overweight 47.1 
			 Obese 19.7 
			   
			  Women  
			 Overweight 35.4 
			 Obese 21.3 
			   
			  All adults  
			 Overweight 40.8 
			 Obese 20.5 
			   
			  Base (unweighted)  
			 Men 313 
			 Women 365 
			 All adults 678 
			  Source:   Health Survey for England: Health and Lifestyle indicators for SHAs 1994 to 2002, Department of Health. 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the proportion of adults who were overweight and obese in South West Government office region (GOR) in 2003.
	
		
			  Table 2: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 16 and over in South West GOR by gender, 2003 
			   Percentage 
			  Men  
			 Overweight 68.4 
			 Obese 22.8 
			   
			  Women  
			 Overweight 55.8 
			 Obese 21.1 
			   
			  All adults  
			 Overweight 62.0 
			 Obese 21.9 
			   
			  Bases (unweighted)  
			 Men 601 
			 Women 712 
			   
			  Bases (weighted)  
			 Men 663 
			 Women 683 
			  Source:   Health Survey for England 2003. Department of Health. 
		
	
	Tables 3 and 4 show the most recent available data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children in England in 2004.
	
		
			  Table 3: Prevalence of obesity and overweight among adults aged 16 and over by gender, England 2004 
			   Percentage 
			  Men  
			 Overweight 43.9 
			 Obese 22.7 
			   
			  Women  
			 Overweight 33.9 
			 Obese 23.2 
			   
			  Bases (weighted)  
			 Men 39,244 
			 Women 39,803 
			  Note:   Figures for all adults is not provided as dataset is not available to do the statistical analysis.  Source:   Health Survey for England 2004. The Information Centre for health and social care. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Prevalence of obesity and overweight among children aged two to 15 by gender, England 2004 
			   Percentage 
			  Boys  
			 Overweight 13.9 
			 Obese 19.2 
			   
			  Girls  
			 Overweight 16.6 
			 Obese 18.5 
			   
			  Bases (weighted)  
			 Boys 8,833 
			 Girls 8,228 
			  Note:   Figures for all adults is not provided as dataset is not available to do the statistical analysis.  Source:   Health Survey for England 2004updating of trend tables to include 2004 data. The Information Centre for health and social care.

Osteoporosis

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new DXA bone density scanners were purchased by strategic health authorities in financial year 2005-06; how many patients were referred to the private sector for bone density scans in that year; what steps have been taken to ensure recurrent funding for running costs for DXA scanners; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The data requested in relation to the number of new dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density scanner purchased by strategic health authorities and the number of patients referred to the private sector for bone density scans, is not collected by the Department.
	By December 2008, the patient pathway should be 18 weeks inclusive of out-patients, diagnostics, and in-patients waits. National health service organisations are developing local plans to achieve this pathway within the funding allocated to them. Primary care trusts (PCTs) were informed of their revenue allocations up to 2007-08 on 9 February 2005. The 2006-07 and 2007-08 revenue allocations represent 135 billion investment in the NHS, 64 billion to PCTs in 2006-07 and 70 billion in 2007-08. The Department has no plans to make additional recurrent funding available to PCTs to cover the running costs of DXA scanners.

Pharmacy Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from interested parties on failure of primary care trusts to commission additional and enhanced services from pharmacies under the community pharmacy contract.

Andy Burnham: We receive regular inquiries from patients, business and others interested in the provision of pharmaceutical services under the new contractual framework. It is for primary care trusts to determine, according to local needs and available funds whether or not they commission enhanced services from community pharmacies. The next statistical bulletin for 2005-06 on general pharmaceutical services in England and Wales will contain information on the extent to which primary care trusts have commissioned these services. It is due to be published later this year.

Post Office Network Services

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services  (a) her Department and  (b) its associated public bodies (i) make available and (ii) have made available in the last five years through the Post Office network; through how many outlets the service is or was made available; and how many relevant transactions were undertaken in each case in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Services which have been provided by the Post Office on the Department's behalf in the past five years is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Service  Number of outlets  Number of outlets  Number of outlets  Numbers issued  Number of outlets  Numbers issued  Number of outlets 
			 Issue of E111s All All All 7.3 million All 8.9 million service ceased on 1 September 2005 All 
			 Distribution of European health insurance card application packs n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 6 million application packs service started on 1 September 2006 All 
			 Prescription pre-payment certificate application forms All All ceased October2002 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Prescription charge refunds All All All 140,706 All Ceased 31 March 2005 n/a 
			 Display help with health costs publicity material 400 main post offices and some sub post offices 400 main post offices and some sub post offices 400 main post offices and some sub post offices n/a 400 main post offices and some sub post offices Ceased 31 March 2005 n/a 
			 Welfare food scheme milk tokens All All All 750,000 people in receipt of tokens ceased 30 September2004 All n/a n/a

Thrombosis

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Healthcare Commission on including thrombosis as a measurable indicator in annual hospital checks; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Government response to the House of Commons Health Committee Report on the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalised patients was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health in July 2005. The response included a commitment to set up an independent expert working group which would make its recommendations by summer 2006 and that once the expert group had assessed the current guidance on VTE that the Department would ask that the Healthcare Commission would look to seek conformity with this good practice.
	The Department expects the report of the independent expert working group to be presented to the Chief Medical Officer shortly.

Waiting Times/Lists

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a)(i) mean waiting time and (ii) median waiting time as provided by data drawn from the hospital episode statistics and  (b)(i) commissioner-based mean waiting time and (ii) commissioner-based median waiting time as provided by NHS organisations' monthly returns to her Department were in each year since 1988.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Inpatient mean and medians in weeks from 1988 
			   Korner aggregate returns (stock)  Hospital episode statistics (flow) 
			   Median  Mean  Median  Mean 
			  Year ending March each year  Provider  Commissioner  Provider  Commissioner  Provider  Provider 
			 1988 21.7  28.9  n/a n/a 
			 1989 22.2  29.2  n/a n/a 
			 1990 20.5  27.7  5.0 12.9 
			 1991 19.2  25.8  5.1 13.7 
			 1992 13.9  20.4  5.6 14.5 
			 1993 13.8  19.6  5.6 12.8 
			 1994  14.4  20.2 5.9 13.0 
			 1995  12.5  17.8 6.1 12.9 
			 1996  11.8  15.9 6.0 12.6 
			 1997  13.2  18.1 5.7 11.8 
			 1998  14.9  20.0 5.9 12.8 
			 1999  12.9  18.6 6.4 14.1 
			 2000  12.9  18.7 6.1 12.9 
			 2001  12.6  18.1 6.3 13.3 
			 2002  12.7  17.4 6.7 13.7 
			 2003  11.9  15.6 7.0 14.1 
			 2004  10.2  12.4 7.1 13.6 
			 2005  8.5  10.6 7.4 12.0 
			 2006  7.3  8.7 n/a n/a 
			  Notes:  Provider based data only available prior to 1994 from Korner returns HES figures relate to patients admitted during financial year ending March. First collected in 1989-90 Korner figures relate to numbers waiting as at 31 March.   Source:  KH07/QF01 returns, HES

Waiting Times/Lists

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) mean and  (b) median waiting time was for an (i) in-patient and (ii) out-patient appointment in each year since 1990, broken down by region.

Andy Burnham: Data on the median and mean waiting time, broken down by strategic health authority has been placed in the Library.
	The Department does not hold information on median and mean waits on an equivalent commissioner basis prior to 1995 for inpatients and 1997 for outpatients.

Waiting Times/Lists

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time to be seen by a consultant was for people in  (a) Yeovil constituency,  (b) Somerset,  (c) the South West and  (d) England in 2005-06, broken down by clinical conditions.

Andy Burnham: Median waiting times as at 31 March 2006 by consultant specialty have been placed in the Library. Data is provided for South Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT) (which includes Yeovil), PCTs in Somerset, and strategic health authorities in the South West.

Wasp/Bee Stings

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people  (a) received hospital treatment and  (b) died as a result of wasp and bee stings in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the following tables. It is not possible directly to compare the two sets of data as one relates to calendar years while the other relates to financial years.
	
		
			  Number of finished consultant episodes and estimated numbers of hospital patients admitted due to contact with hornets, wasps or bees in England 
			  Financial year  Total episodes  Total patients 
			 2000-01 597 546 
			 2001-02 373 340 
			 2002-03 484 443 
			 2003-04 458 369 
			 2004-05 949 843 
			  Source:The Information Centre for health and social care, using hospital episode statistics data, ICD-10 cause code X23. 
		
	
	
		
			  Deaths from accidental contact with hornets, wasps or bees in England 
			  Calendar year  Number 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 2 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 8 
			  Source:Office for National Statistics, using ICD-9 cause code E905.3 for the year 2000 and ICD-10 cause code X23 from 2001 onwards.

Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors underlay the decision to withdraw funding from the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre in Belfast; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Government are committed to funding quality services, which provide the best possible support for victims of rape and sexual violence in Northern Ireland. The latest financial verification report on the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre (NI) Ltd. indicates that the organisation is still failing to comply with the terms and conditions to which its funding is subject. This funding will be directed into quality services for victims of rape and sexual violence.